10 Harry Potter Quotes About Bravery

Harry Potter is a series filled with moments of bravery. After all, most of the main characters are Gryffindors, a Hogwarts house known for attracting courageous students. And in any classic good-versus-evil tale, the protagonist naturally has to show the appropriate amount of nerve in order to defeat the villain.

The great thing about Harry Potter is that Harry himself is not the only character who exhibits signs of valor. He never could have defeated Voldemort alone. From Ron and Hermione, to Lily and James, to Neville Longbottom, so many other characters step up to the plate. Some in little ways, some in big ways.

Even though the sorting hat says that Gryffindor is the house known for bravery, we HP fans know that the series shows how bravery can come from the most unlikely places… from the most unlikely people. It doesn’t matter what house you’re in, who your friends are, or who you are — J.K. Rowling reminds readers throughout the series that bravery is possible even in difficult times. During those times when you feel down, or don’t know how you can carry on, HP has some great quotes to remind you what it means to have courage.

1. You might belong in Gryffindor, where dwell the brave at heart, their daring, nerve, and chivalry set Gryffindors apart.

—The Sorting Hat, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

2. “Well,” said Hermione, “I thought he sounded a bit like you.”

“Like me?”

“Yes, when you were telling us what it’s like to face Voldemort. You said it wasn’t just memorizing a bunch of spells, you said it was just you and your brains and your guts — well, wasn’t that what Snape was saying? That it really comes down to being brave and quick-thinking?”

Harry was so disarmed that she had thought his words as well worth memorizing as The Standard Book of Spells that he did not argue.

Harry felt in the pocket of his robes and pulled out a Chocolate Frog, the very last one from the box Hermione had given him for Christmas. He gave it to Neville, who looked as though he might cry.

4. "Books! And cleverness! There are more important things — friendship and bravery and — oh Harry — be careful!"

—Hermione Granger, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

5. "Numbing the pain for a while will make it worse when you finally feel it. You have shown bravery beyond anything I could have expected of you. I ask you to demonstrate your courage one more time. I ask you to tell us what happened."

—Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

6. “You theenk Bill will not wish to marry me anymore?” demanded Fleur. “You theenk, because of these bites, he will not love me?”

“No, that’s not what I —”

“Because ’e will!” said Fleur, drawing herself up to her full height and throwing back her long mane of silver hair. “It would take more zan a werewolf to stop Bill loving me!”

“Well, yes, I’m sure,” said Mrs. Weasley, “but I thought perhaps — given how — how he —”

“You thought I would not weesh to marry him? Or per’aps, you hoped?” said Fleur, her nostrils flaring. “What do I care how he looks? I am good-looking enough for both of us, I theenk! All these scars show is zat my husband is brave!

—J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

7. Remember Cedric. Remember, if the time should come when you have to make a choice between what is right and what is easy, remember what happened to a boy who was good, and kind, and brave, because he strayed across the path of Lord Voldemort. Remember Cedric Diggory.

—Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

8. “Albus Severus,” Harry said quietly, so that nobody but Ginny could hear, and she was tactful enough to pretend to be waving to Rose, who was now on the train, “you were named for two headmasters of Hogwarts. One of them was a Slytherin and he was probably the bravest man I ever knew.”

—J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

9. It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends.

—J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

10. Lily’s smile was widest of all. She pushed her long hair back as she drew close to him, and her green eyes, so like his, searched his face hungrily, as though she would never be able to look at him enough. “You’ve been so brave.”